Carlos Alcaraz's coy response to a question about Emma Raducanu has reignited speculation that the pair might be an item, and led to a flood of comments on the British tennis stars' social media account.
The British tennis star was in attendance on Sunday afternoon as Alcaraz successfully defended his SW19 crown with a commanding straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic.
Her appearance sparked wild rumours, dating back more than a year, that the pair are secretly dating. And Alcaraz's post-match remarks - in which he playfully insisted he didn't know why Raducanu turned up to the event - has led to renewed chatter on the topic.
Raducanu, who reached the last-16 at the All England Club on her return to fitness, had to put up with comments on her Instagram post on the final day of the competition.
'When are you and Carlitos going public,' one fan wrote. Another said: 'Carlitos has already left a like.'
Emma Raducanu (middle) was in attendance as Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his Wimbledon crown
Alcaraz's coy response to a post-match interview question about the British star has reignited speculation that the pair are an item
Raducanu's Instagram post was flooded with tennis fans making reference to the four-time Grand Slam winner
'Emma please let Carlos stay focussed,' wrote another especially concerned fan.
Raducanu's reason for attending the final - not that she should have to justify going to watch a game of tennis - was probably meeting the Princess of Wales, who presented the winner's trophy to Alcaraz on Centre Court last week.
In a recent interview on Wimbledon's Youtube channel, Raducanu was asked which celebrity she'd most like to come and watch her play. She said: 'Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales - she's like my idol.'
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Alcaraz had sought to dismiss the question on Raducanu during his press conference. Not only did he defend the British tennis star's right to watch any game she pleases but he raised the pertinent point of the men's singles final between two of the world's best players being appointment viewing.
'I don’t know, I don’t know. I think a lot of people came to see the final,' the four-time Grand Slam champion said. 'I think Novak and I always put on a good game, a show on the court. I think it is a beautiful game to watch.
'And she is from here, so I imagine that she wanted to come and see it. If there was a Grand Slam in Murcia [his home town] I would 100 per cent go to the final, even if I wasn’t playing.'
He added: 'I don’t know if she came to the finals or if she came to see me. Who knows? You have to ask her, but I hope she enjoyed the final.'
Alcaraz has previously shown support for Raducanu publicly and recently defended her decision to pull out of the mix doubles with Andy Murray in last-ever Wimbledon.
But the genesis of the rumours between the pair appears to be when Raducanu hastily deleted a tweet after responding to made-up quotes from the Spaniard.
Ahead of her third surgery last May, a fake Alcaraz comment circulated on X, saying: 'I want to dedicate this day to Emma Raducanu who had surgery today.
Raducanu was sat in the Royal Box after meeting the Princess of Wales ahead of the final on Sunday
'I wish her a very, very speedy recovery, she doesn’t deserve any of this. I wish she comes back fast on court and maybe play some mixed doubles, I always wanted that.'
In response, alongside a heart and a prayer emoji, Raducanu wrote: '[Carlos Alcaraz] "yours" :),' according to the Express. The Brit was quick to delete the post after presumably discovering that the quotes were not genuine.
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